KUALA LUMPUR: The 37 suspects arrested during Op Tunjang in connection with a syndicate found to be falsifying permanent disability claims are expected to be charged in court next month.
Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said 37 investigation papers were opened following the arrests.
"For each individual arrested, an investigation paper was opened with each of them having their witnesses.
"In fact, for each investigation paper, an investigating officer was assigned to complete the investigation.
"Therefore, we expect the investigation papers to only be completed next month so that the suspects involved can be charged in court," he told reporters after attending a signing ceremony between MACC and Perkeso on its governance enhancement report on Friday.
Also present was Perkeso group chief executive officer Datuk Seri Dr Mohammed Azman Aziz Mohammed and MACC governance investigation division director Datuk Mohd Zaki Hassan.
Azam said although no follow-up arrests were made in the operation, they would continue to cooperate with Perkeso to detect if similar activities were carried out.
"Previously, we have carried out seven major operations with Perkeso in six states. Based on the operations, we found that the syndicate has changed their modus operandi.
"Therefore, detection of such claims can be done through Perkeso's artificial intelligence system," he said.
Meanwhile, Mohammed Azman said seven reform measures and improvements had been implemented since 2002 related to disability management, including the function of the Jemaah Doktor (JD), Jemaah Doktor Rayuan (JDR) and Jemaah Rayuan Sekelasatan Sosial (JRKS).
"We are collaborating with MACC to improve governance based on several cases identified through the arrest of 37 individuals involved in claims fraud.
"From time to time, we will improve the existing standard operating procedures (SOP) to close any gaps for misuse by irresponsible parties," he said.
He said they would not compromise with those who abuse and take advantage of the existing system to make false claims.
"We will make sure that the false claims detected will be investigated by MACC," he said.
It was reported that Intelligence gathered by Perkeso's Anti-Fraud, Ethics and Integrity Department led to the discovery of a sophisticated permanent disability claims cartel.
It followed an anti-corruption probe into a fraudulent permanent disability claims cartel involving several doctors that have resulted in more than RM2 million in losses.
In July, Senator Dr Lingeshwaran R. Arunasalam urged the Human Resources Ministry to address allegations that doctors involved in Socso disability claims were linked to a cartel falsifying claims.
Lingeshwaran told the Dewan Negara that the panel was suspended until further notice after Socso uncovered the syndicate at a hospital in Penang.